On behalf of the Namibia Chess federation (NCF) I wish to invite all eligible Players from all African chess federation affiliated to the World Chess Federation (FIDE) to participate in the 2014 African Individual Chess Championships (AICC) to be held at the Safari Court Hotel & Conference centre from December 12th (arrival) to December 23rd, 2014 (departure).

1. Invitation
Under the auspices of the African Chess Confederation the Namibia Chess Federation is pleased to invite all African Chess Federations affiliated to the World Chess Federation (FIDE) to participate in the African Individual Chess championships. The Championship will be held in Windhoek, Namibia between December 12th (arrival) and December 23rd 2014 (departure).

2. Participation
2.1 African players holding the title of GM, WGM or WIM have a personal right to enter the tournament.
2.2 Each National Federation can enter a maximum of 3 players for the Open Championship and 3 for The Women championship, This does not include the
players qualifying under Clause 2.1.
2.3 The African Chess Confederation President also has the right to nominate players
2.4 All entries must be registered with the Namibia Chess Federation

3. Tournament Regulations
3.1 It is intended that the Championships will be played in accordance with FIDE
regulations as a 9 Round Swiss System tournament.

3.2 Time control will be 90 minutes for the First 40 moves followed by 30 minutes
for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting
from move one (1).
3.3 The games will be played using DGT clocks; and pairing will be published on
www.chess-results.com
3.4 Swiss Manager will be used for the Championship, and players from the same
Federation will not be paired together in the last round.
3.5 Draw offers are not allowed before Black’s 30th move.

4. Tie-Break
In case of a tie for the over-all winner or other places, the tie will be broken as
follows:

a) By the results between the players involved in the tie;
b) Buchholz, the highest number wins;
c) Number of wins, the highest number wins;
d) Number of wins by black, the highest wins;
e) The highest rating.

5. Tournament Schedule
The tournament schedule is as indicated here below. The schedule can however be changed should need arise. Any changes to the schedule will be communicated during the Technical Meeting before the start of the 1st round.

6. Titles Awards
6.1 The winner in the Open Section will be awarded the International Master (IM) title whilst the winner in the Women’s Section will be awarded the Woman International Master (WIM) title.

6.2 Other titles will be awarded depending in accordance with FIDE title requirements.

8. Qualification for 2015 FIDE African Grand Prix Circuit
8.1 The 2014 African Individual Chess Championships is also a qualification event for the 2015 African Chess Confederation Grand Prix Circuit.
8.2 The top three placed players in each section will qualify for the 2015 African Chess Confederation Grand Prix Circuit.

9. Chief Arbiter & Appeals Committee
9.1 The Chief Arbiter for the 2014 African Individual Chess Championships will be appointed by the ACC President.
9.2 The Appeals Committee will consist of 3 members and 2 reserves chosen from among the participating Federations.
9.3 Protests should be submitted in writing to the Chief Arbiter within two hours (2
hours) after the end of the round in question, with a US $ 200 deposit. The deposit
is refundable, if the appeal is successful.

10. FIDE Fees
10.1 In accordance with FIDE regulations an entry fee of 70 Euros is required for each player.
10.2 Federations are expected to pay entry fees for all their players and the fees
must be paid Directly to FIDE, failing which players whose fee has not been paid, will not be allowed to participate to the Events.

11. Registration Fees
11. The Registration Fee for each participating player is 100 Euros and must be paid into account before 28th November 2014.
11.2 Payments may be made also upon arrival, provided a request is made to the Organizers. If no payment is received before the start of the competitions, players whose fee will remain unpaid will not be allowed to participate to the competitions.
11.3 Only Federations can register players.
11.4 The Registration Fee for each official or accompanying person will be 100
Euros.
11.5 No refunds will be made for any players, officials and accompanying persons who do not make it to the Tournament after paying Registration or FIDE Fees.
11.6 Registration Forms for entries are attached herein; Federation officials must fill them on or before 28th November 2014 and send them by e-mail to confirm entry.
11.7 All registered players, officials and accompanying persons are entitled to:-
a) Free Transfer (to and from) Hosea Kotako International Airport, Windhoek on
arrival and departure.
b) Shuttle to various places in the city depending on the Shuttle schedule.
c) For players, free bottled water, coffee or tea and snacks during time of play.
d) Free wi-fi internet

12. Accommodation and Playing Venue
12.1 All players, officials and accompanying persons from participating federations
will lodge at the following rates, per person:

12.2 All payments related to board and lodging must be paid before the 28th November 2014, which will be the deadline, or upon arrival.
12.3 Players, officials and accompanying persons who arrive before the 12th December 2014 or depart after 23rd December 2014 will be expected to arrange their accommodation or pay for the additional days.
12.4 Participating Federations will receive free board and lodging (in shared double rooms) for one player in each category.
12.5 All payments must be made to the Namibian Chess Federation account by 28th November 2014 or on arrival upon specific request to the Organizer. If payments are not received before the start of the competition, players will not be allowed to participate in the Continental championship.

12.7 Delegations opting to make their hotel payments upon arrival in Namibia should ensure that all payments are made in accordance with the indicated rates. All these payments should be in EUROs.

13. Visas
For delegations coming from countries requiring entry visas into Namibia, these can be obtained from Namibian Embassies or Consulate Offices in your respective country. We will avail an official invitation to delegations that need a copy for VISA processing.